The Wired Homeschool

John Wilkerson
  • 4.6 (35)
  • EDUCATION FOR KIDS

Tech, tools, & tips for homeschooling the digital generation.

  1. 06/20/2023

    How to View the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

    A total solar eclipse that will traverse North America is quickly approaching. Don’t miss this opportunity to see a phenomenon you and your kids will talk about for years. Please note: This podcast episode is from 2017 but I have updated this blog post for the upcoming solar eclipse in 2024. The best way to see the eclipse in 2024 is to be somewhere along the path of totality that goes from Mexico to Maine. Even if you’re outside this area, you’ll still be treated to a sight unparalleled in all of nature. Think about it: the moon will pass between the earth and the sun and darkness will engulf you. The stars will be visible at midday! A short video illustrating why we don’t have an eclipse every month. See the Eclipse in Person The best way to view the eclipse is to be there in person. For many people in the United States, you can drive 4-6 hours and be along the path of totality. If you live along that path, or you plan to travel, here are a few tips: 1. Plan Ahead Don’t wait until the last minute to make plans. Travel will be difficult as the date approaches, especially around major metropolitan areas. If you want to use this as an opportunity to teach your kids about astronomy, find some books or videos to share with them. You might want to start with my blog post Best Resources for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse. 2. Be Safe Whether it’s while traveling or when viewing the eclipse, safety is important. Animals freak out when an eclipse occurs so if you’re in a rural area watch out for strange behavior. Don’t plan to drive too far on the day of the eclipse. If you need to travel that day be conscious of the fact that many people will be trying to do the same thing. Make sure you have protective eyewear for viewing the eclipse. DO NOT look directly at the sun until it’s totally covered! Once the sun is covered, you can remove your glasses for naked eye observation. 3. Be Courteous I recommend that you and your family observe the event alone. If you plan to go to a viewing party be aware of the people around you. Don’t block a person’s view. If someone has a telescope, DO NOT just walk up and use it. Don’t even touch it without permission. Professional and amateur astronomers are kind and helpful people but touching their equipment without permission is a no-no. Where to Watch Online Ideally, you want to see the eclipse in person. However, work requirements, family situations, and other situations out of your control may prevent that. If you live anywhere in the lower 48 states, you’ll be able to see a partial eclipse. The same safety rules apply when viewing the eclipse. At no point during a partial eclipse is it safe for you to remove protective eyewear. If it’s cloudy where you are or you live in Alaska or Hawaii or you want to watch the eclipse from overseas I recommend checking out the NASA Live Stream or the SLOOH Live Stream. Both of these sites will have excellent programming leading up to and on the day of the eclipse. Again, it’s not the best option but it’s better than nothing. If you found value in these ideas, maybe consider buying me a coffee? Even though new episodes aren’t actively being made, there are still costs for hosting and maintaining the website. You can also follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms. And just so you know, some links you might see are “affiliate links,” meaning if you click and buy, I might get a commission. Sometimes I even get free samples to review, all disclosed transparently. Music for the podcast is “RetroFuture Clean” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    14 min

  2. 10/12/2021

    Special Announcement for New Listeners

    If you’re new to the podcast, you might be wondering why I haven’t released an episode. If you’ve been around here for a long time you may want to know what’s going on. If you want to keep up with me on social media (not the blog/podcast) you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

    5 min
  3. 4 Important Things To Do Before Giving Your Child A Smartphone

    12/16/2020

    4 Important Things To Do Before Giving Your Child A Smartphone

    Are you planning to give your child a smartphone, tablet, or console this holiday season? Before you wrap it (if you haven’t already) consider doing a few things first. Set Expectations The number one piece of advice I give parents when buying their child a device is to set expectations. You need to decide what kind of restrictions you’ll put in place and how you want it to be used. Will you limit how often and how long they’re allowed to use it? Will you limit the types of games they’re allowed to play? All of these things should be thought about before you give them the device so you can set their expectations after they receive it. Device Controls Nearly every electronic device comes with some form of parental controls. I’ve advocated for them for over 10 years and companies are finally making it easier for parents to manage how, when, and how long their children use their devices. Screen Time (iOS) – Apple has always had a walled garden so you’ll either need to manage your child’s device directly or use another iOS device. Screen Time has great controls and works well with Family Sharing. Family Link (Android) If you got your child any smartphone besides an iPhone you most-likely will use Family Link to manage parental controls. Fortunately, they have an iOS app too. Amazon FreeTime Fire tablets, TVs, and even Alexa-enable devices can be managed with Amazon’s FreeTime. In my experience, Amazon has the weakest controls. Consoles: The Nintendo Switch and XBox both have dedicated apps that you can use to manage parental controls on their consoles. Sony’s Playstation requires you to use a browser or its general Playstation app. Network Controls For whole-house Internet controls you can turn to your router or a secondary device. If you’re using the router your Internet provider installed, check with them for information on parental controls. I suggest either a second router for the kids or Circle by Disney. Circle Home Plus – The Circle Home Plus device connects with your router to manage every Internet-connected device on your home network. Home Router – Every home router these days has some level of parental controls. Check your manufacturer’s website for instructions to configure those settings. Software and Apps No solution will fully protect you and your children so if you need to take a belt and suspenders approach I recommend installing an app on their device for additional monitoring. Covenant Eyes – I’ve been an advocate (and affiliate) for Covenant Eyes for over a decade. They’re the gold-standard when it comes to monitoring and filtering. Accountable2You – If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, Accountable2You has got you covered. It occasionally triggers false alarms but I’ve still found it to be a useful tool. If you found value in this episode of The Wired Homeschool, consider a donation that reflects the value you received by buying me a coffee. Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Music for the podcast is “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Some of the links in the posts on this site are “affiliate links.” That means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive a commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

    15 min
  4. MySchool: A Tech Tool for Homeschoolers with Justin Shell

    11/17/2020

    MySchool: A Tech Tool for Homeschoolers with Justin Shell

    One of the most difficult things for new homeschoolers, and even some experienced homeschoolers, is finding community resources that are friendly to homeschoolers. MySchool is a community-driven resource that connects parents to homeschool spots (like museums, co-ops, and nature centers). It’s like an Airbnb for home education. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9xivrl8AjLo Justin Shell started MySchool after he and his wife started homeschooling and were looking for locations and activities for their children. Homeschooling families are encouraged to sign up for MySchool and add “spots” that other homeschooling families could use for learning and social activities. You can follow MySchool on Twitter, join the Facebook group, or sign-up for their newsletter when you register to keep up-to-date on all their latest developments. If you found value in this episode of The Wired Homeschool, consider a donation that reflects the value you received by buying me a coffee. Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Music for the podcast is “Loopster” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Some of the links in the posts on this site are “affiliate links.” That means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive a commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

    14 min

  5. 06/19/2020

    Homeschooling After an Emergency

    If you were forced into homeschooling because of an emergency, you may have found that it works well for your family and want to continue. Maybe you’re not comfortable with how your school district is planning to reopen or you’ve decided that this is something you think is a good fit for your family. In this episode of The Wired Homeschool my wife Lisa joins me to talk about homeschooling philosophy, curriculum, online resources, and more. We condense 20 years of homeschooling into a 30-minute episode. Listen in to learn what you need to know if you plan to homeschool after COVID. Resources mentioned (in order): DuckstersCathy Duffy ReviewsThe Great CoursesKhan AcademyMultiflyerMark RoberCincinnati ZooDeep Space SparkleArt for Kids HubScouter MomDanica McKellar’s Math Books If you found value in these ideas, maybe consider buying me a coffee? Even though new episodes aren’t actively being made, there are still costs for hosting and maintaining the website. You can also follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms. And just so you know, some links you might see are “affiliate links,” meaning if you click and buy, I might get a commission. Sometimes I even get free samples to review, all disclosed transparently. Music for the podcast is “RetroFuture Clean” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    36 min

  6. 03/13/2020 · BONUS

    Emergency Homeschooling and COVID-19

    In 2020, a global pandemic caused many public schools in the United States to shift to remote learning. Due to these unforeseen circumstances, many parents considered or were compelled to homeschool their children. For many of these parents, this was an especially stressful time full of uncertainty.It’s important that we in the homeschooling community do not panic and show kindness and compassion towards each other during these difficult times. If you’re new to homeschooling or if you’re looking for additional resources I’ve listed a few below. 7 Online Writing Classes for Homeschoolers 10 Educational Shows for Tweens and Teens 5 Online Science Classes for Homeschoolers Homeschooling With Hulu? 10 Documentaries You Can Watch Now Kathy Ceceri has a great article about emergency homeschooling and has also provided some resources. HSLDA Quick-Start Guide to Homeschooling Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Homeschooling: 5 Things to Consider If you found value in these ideas, maybe consider buying me a coffee? Even though new episodes aren’t actively being made, there are still costs for hosting and maintaining the website. You can also follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms. And just so you know, some links you might see are “affiliate links,” meaning if you click and buy, I might get a commission. Sometimes I even get free samples to review, all disclosed transparently. Music for the podcast is “RetroFuture Clean” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    3 min

  7. 06/10/2019

    Noah Tetzner - Homeschooler to Full-Time Podcaster

    About Noah Tetzner Noah Tetzner is a homeschool graduate who enjoys sharing his passion for history with the world! He is the host of multiple historical podcasts that feature interviews with some of the world’s brightest scholars. Recently, he has launched a new podcast called Lessons from a Homeschooler where you can join him in learning about topics such as history, education, and literature from acclaimed speakers across the homeschooling world. Make sure you have a listen to both of Noah’s podcasts: The History of Vikings and Lessons from a Homeschooler. If you found value in these ideas, maybe consider buying me a coffee? Even though new episodes aren’t actively being made, there are still costs for hosting and maintaining the website. You can also follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms. And just so you know, some links you might see are “affiliate links,” meaning if you click and buy, I might get a commission. Sometimes I even get free samples to review, all disclosed transparently. Music for the podcast is “RetroFuture Clean” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    33 min

  8. 03/30/2019

    How to Homeschool Like Ursula Burns

    Ursula M. Burns became the first black woman to head a Fortune 500 company when she was appointed CEO of Xerox. She also became the first woman to succeed another as head of a Fortune 500 company. Burns led the STEM program of the White House from 2009 to 2016 and is the current chairman and CEO of VEON, the eleventh largest mobile network operator in the world based on subscribers. Burns is also on the board of Uber. Much like we did with the previous “Homeschool Like” series, we’ll take a look at her business acumen and apply that to homeschooling. 1. Be Authentic. In an interview with Time, Ursula Burns said in the early years of her career the one thing she would not give up is her hair. She encourages women, especially women trying to get into STEM to use their uniqueness as an opportunity to distinguish themselves from others. We need to encourage our children to embrace what’s unique about themselves (being homeschooled) and use that as a way to stand out from the crowd. Don’t look at it as a burden, but an opportunity. 2. Listen to your employees. Some parents think they have all the answers when it comes to homeschooling. While we are certainly responsible for educating our children, we should listen to them too. As our children get older, their interests will change and we should be able to tailor their education so that they have a vested interest. We can only do that if we listen to them. 3. Recognize that you can not do everything yourself. Speaking with Poppy Harlow on CNN Money, Burns reminds men that they need to step up when their wives have a baby. Women shouldn’t have to do all the work of raising children. The same is true in homeschooling, it’s difficult for one parent to be the only educator. Both parents need to help. 4. Take a stand for what you believe in. Believe it or not, there are still people out there who think homeschooling is bad for children. Governments, like Brazil and Germany, have basically made it illegal to homeschool. There may come a time when you need to take a stand for your belief in homeschooling. Be prepared to hold your ground against family, friends, and total strangers. 5. Measure goals and outcomes to make better decisions. Grades are not goals. test results don’t always reflect the outcomes you’re looking for when educating your children. Book knowledge shouldn’t be the ultimate goal. In our family, we want to instill a love of learning. We want to equip our children to be successful adults. We also want them to define what success looks like. 6. Have fun and truly enjoy your job to have the most success. When I hear about parents and children who are burdened by homeschooling my heart drops. Anyone who is homeschooling and doesn’t truly find joy in the process will not have ultimate success. It brings a smile to my face when I see the joy on my wife’s face when she’s talking about an experiment the kids did or a history nugget she learned about that day. If you found value in these ideas, maybe consider buying me a coffee? Even though new episodes aren’t actively being made, there are still costs for hosting and maintaining the website. You can also follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other platforms. And just so you know, some links you might see are “affiliate links,” meaning if you click and buy, I might get a commission. Sometimes I even get free samples to review, all disclosed transparently. Music for the podcast is “RetroFuture Clean” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    17 min
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4.6
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About

Tech, tools, & tips for homeschooling the digital generation.

Information

  • Creator
    John Wilkerson
  • Years Active
    2010 - 2023
  • Episodes
    258
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2010-2022 by John Wilkerson. All right reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Wired Homeschool